South African Class Experimental 5 2-8-2

The South African Railways Class Experimental 5 2-8-2 of 1906 was a steam locomotive from the pre-Union era in the Cape of Good Hope.

CGR 9th Class 2-8-2 1906
South African Class Experimental 5 2-8-2
CGR 9th Class no. 840, c. 1906
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerCape Government Railways
(H.M. Beatty)
BuilderKitson and Company
Serial number4341
ModelCGR 9th Class
Build date1906
Total produced1
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte2-8-2 (Mikado)
 • UIC1'D1'n2
Driver3rd coupled axle
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge
Leading dia.28+12 in (724 mm)
Coupled dia.54 in (1,372 mm)
Trailing dia.33 in (838 mm)
Tender wheels33+12 in (851 mm) as built
34 in (864 mm) retyred
Wheelbase55 ft 1+14 in (16,796 mm) ​
 • Axle spacing
(Asymmetrical)
1-2: 5 ft 1 in (1,549 mm)
2-3: 4 ft 8 in (1,422 mm)
3-4: 4 ft 10 in (1,473 mm)
 • Engine29 ft 9 in (9,068 mm)
 • Coupled14 ft 7 in (4,445 mm)
 • Tender16 ft 1 in (4,902 mm)
 • Tender bogie4 ft 7 in (1,397 mm)
Length:
 • Over couplers63 ft 38 in (19,212 mm)
Height12 ft 10 in (3,912 mm)
Frame typeBar
Axle load14 LT 3 cwt (14,380 kg) ​
 • Leading6 LT 10 cwt 2 qtr (6,630 kg)
 • 1st coupled14 LT 3 cwt (14,380 kg)
 • 2nd coupled13 LT 2 cwt (13,310 kg)
 • 3rd coupled13 LT 13 cwt (13,870 kg)
 • 4th coupled13 LT 17 cwt (14,070 kg)
 • Trailing11 LT 1 cwt (11,230 kg)
 • Tender bogieBogie 1: 19 LT 2 cwt (19,410 kg)
Bogie 2: 20 LT 12 cwt (20,930 kg)
 • Tender axle9 LT 11 cwt (9,703 kg)
Adhesive weight54 LT 15 cwt (55,630 kg)
Loco weight72 LT 6 cwt 2 qtr (73,490 kg)
Tender weight39 LT 14 cwt (40,340 kg)
Total weight112 LT 0 cwt 2 qtr (113,800 kg)
Tender typeXF2 (2-axle bogies)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity7 LT 10 cwt (7.6 t)
Water cap.3,000 imp gal (13,600 L)
Firebox:
 • TypeRound-top
 • Grate area33.1 sq ft (3.08 m2)
Boiler:
 • Pitch7 ft 3 in (2,210 mm)
 • Diameter5 ft 6+38 in (1,686 mm)
 • Tube plates17 ft (5,182 mm)
 • Small tubes203: 2+14 in (57 mm)
Boiler pressure180 psi (1,241 kPa)
Safety valveRamsbottom
Heating surface:
 • Firebox129.7 sq ft (12.05 m2)
 • Tubes2,032.8 sq ft (188.85 m2)
 • Total surface2,162.5 sq ft (200.90 m2)
CylindersTwo
Cylinder size20 in (508 mm) bore
28 in (711 mm) stroke
Valve gearStephenson
CouplersJohnston link-and-pin
Performance figures
Tractive effort28,000 lbf (120 kN) @ 75%
Career
OperatorsCape Government Railways
South African Railways
ClassCGR 9th Class Mikado
SAR Class Experimental 5
Number in class1
NumbersCGR 840, SAR 948
Delivered1906
First run1906
Withdrawn1929
The 2nd & 3rd coupled axles had flangeless wheels

In 1906, the Cape Government Railways placed a single experimental 9th Class steam locomotive with a 2-8-2 Mikado type wheel arrangement in service. In 1912, when this locomotive was assimilated into the South African Railways, it was renumbered and designated Class Experimental 5. The design was never repeated.[1][2][3][4]

Manufacturer

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The Cape 9th Class Mikado type steam locomotive was designed by H.M. Beatty, the Locomotive Superintendent of the Cape Government Railways (CGR) from 1896 to 1910. It was a larger version of his 9th Class of 1903, which was also built with a bar frame and Stephenson’s Link valve gear and which also used saturated steam. The locomotive was delivered with a Type XF2 tender by Kitson and Company in 1906 and was numbered 840.[1][2][3][4]

Characteristics

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At the time, the locomotive was considered as a big advance in motive power. It was a large engine and on the CGR it was exceeded in size only by the experimental Kitson-Meyer 0-6-0+0-6-0 locomotive which had entered service in 1903.[1][2]

 
H.M. Beatty

With this locomotive, Beatty overcame his aversion to boiler centre lines which exceeded twice the Cape gauge width of 3 feet 6 inches (1,067 millimetres) above the railhead, by raising the boiler pitch to 7 feet 3 inches (2,210 millimetres). The locomotive was larger than its predecessor 9th Class of 1903 in all respects, with a longer boiler which had a bigger girth, larger diameter pistons with a longer stroke, larger diameter driving wheels, a larger firebox, and a tender with a larger fuel and water capacity. The design was, however, never repeated and the Cape 9th Class Mikado remained unique.[1]

Service

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Cape Government Railways

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The locomotive was placed in service on the Western System, working on the mainline between Touws River and Prince Albert Road in the Karoo. When it was determined by the Civil Department of the CGR that the engine was too heavy for the rails and bridges on this section, it was transferred to the section between Beaufort West and De Aar where heavier rail was in use.[1][2][3][4]

South African Railways

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When the Union of South Africa was established on 31 May 1910, the three Colonial government railways (CGR, Natal Government Railways and Central South African Railways) were united under a single administration to control and administer the railways, ports and harbours of the Union. Although the South African Railways and Harbours came into existence in 1910, the actual classification and renumbering of all the rolling stock of the three constituent railways were only implemented with effect from 1 January 1912.[3][5]

In 1912, the locomotive was designated Class Experimental 5 and renumbered to 948 on the South African Railways. It was later transferred to Braamfontein, where it remained until it was withdrawn from service and scrapped in 1929.[2][4][6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Holland, D.F. (1971). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. Vol. 1: 1859–1910 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, England: David & Charles. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-7153-5382-0.
  2. ^ a b c d e Espitalier, T.J.; Day, W.A.J. (1944). The Locomotive in South Africa - A Brief History of Railway Development. Chapter II - The Cape Government Railways (Continued). South African Railways and Harbours Magazine, March 1944. pp. 169-173.
  3. ^ a b c d Classification of S.A.R. Engines with Renumbering Lists, issued by the Chief Mechanical Engineer’s Office, Pretoria, January 1912, pp. 9, 12, 15, 37 (Reprinted in April 1987 by SATS Museum, R.3125-6/9/11-1000)
  4. ^ a b c d Paxton, Leith; Bourne, David (1985). Locomotives of the South African Railways (1st ed.). Cape Town: Struik. p. 83. ISBN 0869772112.
  5. ^ The South African Railways - Historical Survey. Editor George Hart, Publisher Bill Hart, Sponsored by Dorbyl Ltd., Published c. 1978, p. 25.
  6. ^ Holland, D. F. (1972). Steam Locomotives of the South African Railways. Vol. 2: 1910-1955 (1st ed.). Newton Abbott, England: David & Charles. p. 140. ISBN 978-0-7153-5427-8.